Clasp-envelop.



NQ. 744,562. PATENTED NOV. 17, 1903. J. G. KIMSEY. CLASP ENVELOP.

APPLIUATIONI'ILBD' mu 7, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

THE N OITRIS PETERS co, PHOYO-LIYNO., WASHINGTON u c UNITED STATES Patented November 17, 1903.

PATE T OFFICE.

JAMES c. KIMSEY, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CLASP-ENVELOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 744,562, dated November 17, 1903. 7 Application filed May 7, 1902. fierial No. 106.296. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J MES C. KIMsEY, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a Clasp-Envelop, of which the following is a full and exact specification.

'This invention is an improvement in envelops, and relates more especially to the class of clasp-envelops and contemplates the provision of means by which an ordinary envelop may be converted into a clasp-envelop at comparatively little expense.

'lVith this object in viewtheinvention consists of a strip or lining adapted to be inserted into an envelop and carryinga metal clasp or tongue by which the flap of the envelop is held closed. I

The invention furtherconsists in providing the lining with a reinforcing-strip which serves to not only reinforce the envelop on a line with the clasp, but also to provide means by which the clasp is attached to the envelop for engagement with the flap thereof.

The particular construction of my improved clasp envelop and advantages attained thereby are hereinafter described, and what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is more specifically set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings,which form a part hereof, Figure l is a plan view showing the application of my invention. ,Fig. 2

is a detail view of the strip which carries the clasp and is adapted to be inserted in the envelop. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the preferred form of clasp which I employ.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the letter A designates the envelop, which, as shown, is the ordinary envelop having the flap at one of the sides thereof, though it will be obvious hereinafter that the invention could be applied to any style of envelop.

In carrying out my invention I employ a sheet of paper B, oblong in shape and provided at one end with a flap b, corresponding in size and shape with the flap a of the envelop, and the width of this sheet is slightly less than that of the envelop in order that it may fit therein and form practicallya lining therefor. This sheet B iscreased on the line b to form the fold-able flap b and intermediately, at c, is folded transversely, so that when it is inserted in the envelop there will be two parts or linings, one part having the flapb, while the other part carries the metal clasp D, the tongue of the latter being so located as to pass through the flaps when the.

latter are folded down on the body of the euvelop for the purpose ofsealing it.

Though the clasp D may be of any ordinary construction and attached to the lining in any, suitable manner,I prefer the particularclasp and mannerof attachment which I shall now proceed to describe. I

The claspis made of a piece of sheet metal, from which the point or tongue (1 is stamped, and in attaching this clasp the tongue is passed through a reinforcing-strip e, and the said strip is then pasted to the lining or inserted sheet B, whereby the body of the clasp is securely and firmly held between the parts B and c, with the tongue or point 61 projecting through the latter for engagement with the flap of the envelop. The reinforcing strip e is preferably stifi? paper and extends the full length of the sheet or lining B, though obviously the clasp may be held in place by a smaller strip or by providing said clasp with engaging tongues. When the reinforcing-strip is made the full length of the sheet or lining B, as herein shown, the end thereof a hole f for the passage of the tongue or point of the clasp.

In some cases-for instance, where the device is to be employed in connection with a stiff Manila envelop-it may not be necessary to provide a strip or sheet B of the full width of the envelop, and in lieu thereof a narrow strip, such as the reinforcing-strip 6, may be provided, which would form practically a band within the envelop.

In applying the device the folded sheet B is inserted in the envelop and the flap a of the latter, being gummed, as is usuah'is moistened and the flap b pasted thereto, so as to hold the folded sheetin the envelop. When the sheet is inserted and secured, as stated, the tongue or point d of the clasp will project outward, so that when the flap of the enwhich reinforces the flap b is provided with r velop is folded down the said tongue will pass through the same and may be then bent to hold the flap closed, as is usual.

From the foregoing it- Will be noted that I provide a very simple and convenient means of converting an ordinary envelop into a clasp envelop and at small additional expense; also, that the clasp is firmly held and the flap reinforced where it engages said clasp. It is also obvious that immaterial changes may be made within the spirit and scope of my claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Ina clasp-envelop, the combination with an ordinary envelop, of a folded strip of paper inserted in the envelop and at one end pasted to the flap of said envelop, and a metal tongue at the other end of the strip adapted to engage the aforesaid flap when the latter is closed thereon.

2. As a new article of manufacture, an attachment for an envelop comprising a folded strip adapted to be inserted inside the envelop and form a reinforcing-band, said strip being attached at one end to the flap of the envelop and provided at its other end with a clasp, the said strip having an opening for the passage of the tongue of the clasp.

3. As a new article of manufacture, an attachment for an envelop comprising a folded sheet adapted to be inserted in the envelop and provide a lining therefor, said sheet being of the full width of the envelop, and a clasp attached to one end of said sheet.

4. As a new article of manufacture, an attachment for an envelop comprising a folded sheet or lining the full width of the envelop and attached at one end to the flap of the envelop, and a clasp attached to the other end of the sheet or lining.

5. As a new article of manufacture, an attachment for an envelop comprising a folded sheet or lining the full width of the envelop, a reinforcing-strip extending along the longitudinal center of the sheet, and a metal clasp held or attached to one end of the sheet by said reinforcing-strip.

6. As a new article of manufacture, an attachment for an envelop comprising a folded sheet or lining the full width of the envelop and provided at one end with a flap adapted to be pasted or attached to the flap of the envelop, a reinforcing-strip attached to the folded sheet or lining, and a metal clasp held or attached to the sheet by the reinforcing-strip thereof.

JAMES C. KIMSEY. In presence of E. W. OMENSETTER, J. L. M. MICHAL. 

